KARACHI:
Ramazan is generally regarded as a time of self-reflection and self-discipline. However, are people truly disciplined during the month? Price hikes during Ramazan are not a new phenomenon and prices of several food items such as cooking oil, fruits, and vegetables are raised as soon as the Ramazan moon is sighted. The concerned authorities could not care less, but many organisations took this opportunity to take an initiative to make a difference.
JDC organisation called for a boycott of fruits in Karachi to end profiteering. The movement lasted a few days and had favourable outcomes. Another individual Mustafa Hanif took on the challenge of selling fruits for Rs10 per kilogram to the poor. However, a mob of looters barged into his stall and stole his supplies, grabbing as many bags of fruits as they could. On 31st March, 12 people, including women and children, died as a result of a stampede during a ration distribution drive in Karachi’s SITE area. This stampede was a direct consequence of mismanagement. Is the deteriorating situation an outcome of the state’s hypocrisy or the witlessness of society?
Educational institutes have also been unaccommodating during Ramazan. Despite being in an advanced era, educational institutes have turned their backs on online teaching. Even though the University of Karachi has ample resources, it is adamant about offering hybrid or online classes. It appears that educational institutes are deliberately inconveniencing students by not switching to online classes and forcing students to attend university. Institutions should provide students and teachers with some relief by switching to online classes. Considering the aforementioned events, we need to contemplate whether we are upholding the decorum and spirit of Ramazan or whether we are adding to others’ problems.
Hudesa Imam
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, April 15th, 2023.
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